Prior to the first Premier League match of the weekend, Brendan Rodgers spoke about how his side had learned from their last encounter with Chelsea at Anfield - a game that put the final nail in the coffin of their title bid .

This season, Liverpool have been a long way off the pace as far as the race for top spot goes, sitting 12 points behind the season's runaway leaders before kick-off.

Jose Mourinho's side have already shown that they know how to manage the big occasions, picking up draws on the road at both Manchester clubs and winning comfortably against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge .

After putting six past Everton at Goodison Park earlier in the season, the Blues went into today's fixture hoping to complete a six-point Merseyside double that would extend their unbeaten run this year to 11 games and open up a seven point lead over Southampton, who play later today.

As is so often the case when these teams meet, there was a zip to the proceedings as both sides attacked with great intent.

(Image: Action Images)

But with a point to prove after last year's defeat and back-to-back games in which they've failed to score against Newcastle and Real Madrid, it was the home side who started brighter - the much-maligned Mario Balotelli looking lively in the opening encounters.

After nine minutes, another of Rodgers' new signings broke the deadlock. Emre Can found acres of space in the heart of the opposition half to shoot from distance, his effort deflecting off Gary Cahill to curve over the wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois.

If there was an element of fortune about the goal, it must also be said that Chelsea had failed to learn their lesson after a similar effort just moments earlier when they also allowed the 20-year-old far too much time on the ball in a dangerous shooting area.

Chelsea proved why they've been so irresistible so far this year just five minutes later, using their immense height from a set piece to level the score.

(Image: Action Images)

After a great save by Simon Mignolet to deny John Terry's header, Cahill made up for his role in Liverpool's opener by striking home.

The Liverpool defence scrambled to clear as the game carried on momentarily, but the goal-line technology system alerted the referee that the ball had in fact crossed the line and the goal was awarded.

As the pace of the game refused to drop, Balotelli found himself free of the Blues backline and had the ball in the Chelsea goal five minutes later, but he had just strayed into an offside position and was denied a first Premier League goal for Liverpool.

The home side continued to find space to exploit in front of Chelsea's back four, with Raheem Sterling and Coutinho both fashioning decent chances.

But while Liverpool looked potent in open play, Chelsea continued to threaten from set pieces, which have proven to be a weakness for Rodgers' side all season.

As Hazard grew into the game, Chelsea began to wrestle territorial advantage and while the Reds remained solid at the back, they found themselves pegged back for large periods, with the weight of their counter attacking play falling on Sterling's shoulders.

In the final 15 minutes of the first half, the visitors were in the ascendancy and made chance after chance as they repeatedly robbed the ball from Liverpool in dangerous areas and penned them into their own penalty area, with Hazard having several sighters at Mignolet's goal.

Diego Costa has been so impressive this season and looked bright again today, but his performance in the first 45 minutes was marred by a continuation of the feud with Martin Skrtel that started when Spain played Serbia, and a heated exchange appeared to carry on as the players went down the tunnel.

However, the Spain striker, who had nine goals in eight Premier League appearances for Chelsea before today, nearly added to his tally with some improvised aerial acrobatics five minutes after the restart.

At the other end, Sterling cut in from the left to test Courtois, who was forced to make a great save, before Chelsea broke down the other end with Hazard - a passage of play that portrayed the end-to-end nature of so much of the game.

As the game wore on, Chelsea again began to dominate the proceedings without making any clear-cut chances.

In the 66th minute, Cesar Azpilicueta broke down the left-ahand side after a great pick out by Willian and beat Coutinho far too easily to drive into the box.

His shot was blocked by Mignolet, but the Belgian keeper could only parry it into the path of Costa, who showed how ruthless he can be in the opposition penalty area with his tenth goal of the season, despite having few clear-cut chances.

With the impetus on Liverpool in the final 15 minutes, Chelsea remained relatively comfortable, although Henderson went close with a fiercely struck volley that was deflected by Matic, who knew very little about it.

Another goalless afternoon for Mario Balotelli came to an end ten minutes from time after he was withdrawn for Rickie Lambert.

(Image: Reuters)

Despite being spurred on by the crowd as the clock counted down, the Reds struggled to do much damage once Chelsea settled in to protect their lead, with Courtois having little to do in the final minutes of the match.

However, there was a scare late on when Steven Gerrard's strike from distance struck Cahill's arm inside the box. A penalty could easily have been given, but the referee waved it away and Brendan Rodgers will be left to wonder 'what if'.

David Maddock's analysis

In the end, it was all a little too predictable. Liverpool looked vulnerable for the period before and after half time, and never really addressed it, offering Chelsea an advantage they were never likely to relinquish.

Chelsea deserved their victory, but Liverpool can point to the late penalty claim, when Gary Cahill clearly handled Steven Gerrard's shot and referee Anthony Taylor was standing barely yards away, but saw nothing.

On those moments are games turned, but really, despite that shout, the home side can have few complaints. Oh, how desperately they need Daniel Sturridge back, and the good news, he said before the game, he should return against Crystal Palace at the end of the month.